Students that attended this year’s trip where Tammy Smith, Jon Cooper, Derek Heath, Breanna Gleason, Dylan Burke, Jake Newton, Jordan Siwula, Evan White, Billy Strong, Kirya Costephens, Arielle Smith, Katie Loughrin, Persefoni Lauhon, and Alex Delich, . Chaperones accompanying these students where teachers Bob Lisowski, Erin Rumery, Andrea White, Kim Sinke and Karen Ryder along with parents Joel Newton and Kim Heath.
The students stayed at the Gerace Research Center on San Salvador Island while studying marine biology. San Salvador Island is one of 700 islands sprinkled throughout the beautiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is part of the Bahamas Archipelago extending 1,400 Km north to south and is surrounded by a wealth of spectacular reefs located in the middle of 4,000 meter-deep Atlantic waters. The island is not known for its tourism but is unique for its history, ecology, inland lakes, and potential for future development. San Salvador Island was discovered in 1492 when Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the New World. Over time the island went through slavery, deforestation, and agricultural farming. Today, the 1000 inhabitants of this small island rely on subsistence farming, local fishing, and the Gerace Research Center.
Since its opening in 1971, the Gerace Research Center has provided tools and facilities for teaching various field courses. Today, there are over 20 colleges and universities that run annual field courses in Archaeology, Biology, Geology, and a Marine Science. Gobles is also one of three high schools in the nation that get to experience this unique island. The purposes of the Gerace Research Center are to inquire into the meaning of environmental relationships; to develop an understanding of another culture; to instruct in research methods and techniques; and to conduct initial surveys and advanced field studies of the island. The Gobles students spent a week studying marine biology as they experienced the Bahamian culture.
In preparation for the Bahamas trip, students practiced snorkeling, attended classes about the ecosystem and the culture they will experience, and started tanning to be ready for the sun’s intense heat.
The student’s agenda on San Salvador Island consisted of attending church, visiting the high school, exploring several reefs and mangroves (also a night snorkel), visiting an island with threatened marine iguanas, exploring a bat cave, visiting the one town on the island, hiking through the dense forest, and eating at a local restaurant. Students also attended class sessions in the evening to reflect on their learning experiences. Upon return of the trip students will share their experience with the school and community.